I remember playing this when I was 6 and this song was quite impressionable. It felt melancholic yet the melody overall sounds like adventure, bravery. Its just perfect: a distant alien world, a lonely boy and his struggle against obstacles.
This should have looked better, kind of surprised. Just search for Space Harrier - Atari 8-Bit XL/XE (Final Release) and you will see how a 1979 Atari computer does well.
@ATARI800XLfan The Sega Team didn't have decades to learn the hardware in and out...probably a 4-5 months before they were on to the next project. That atari version looks great!
@ninelivecat it is 8-bit, it was based around the 8-bit 6507 processor, which was a slightly slower version of the famous MOS 6502(which was used in the NES).The MOS Technology 6502 is an 8-bit microprocessor that was designed by Chuck Peddle and Bill Mensch for MOS Technology in 1975. When it was introduced, it was the least expensive full-featured microprocessor on the market by a considerable margin. It was nevertheless fully comparable with them and, along with the Zilog Z80
The way things show up with glitches in this game might give you reason to believe sweat is coming out of the cartridge. Like it's working hard because it has some sense of pride in itself. And you still get a good, playable version of Space Harrier, even with the hardware limitations.
If SMS had Nintendo's library and advertising (equivalently speaking, of course), it would have won the war, hands down. I mean, have you SEEN Sega's idea of box art was back then? Ugh.
I never understood why people enjoyed this at all. It was technically PLAYABLE, but the Master System just couldn't handle this game. They did a good job of porting this over, but they shouldn't have bothered.
@whiteechidna I'm not going to point out the differences between this and the arcade version because it's pretty obvious, but back when this port came out, there was nothing that even came close to it at home.
This system is pretty forgettable due to the poor arcade translations, except for one thing. The 3-D glasses. The tech was way ahead of its time and very effective. Now some 20+ years are they using a modern version of this same system for 3-D blu-rays and live sports. Both the Master system and the new 3-D tv system are impressive and should be witnessed. Forget the red-blue lenses or polarized glasses.
well what do you expect from a 8-bit system? the arcades were miles from consoles back then. it took, like, almost 10 years for a near arcade-perfect home version (sega 32x). this was the best home version when it came out.
I would love Space Harrier for Wii Railshooters are my favorite 3D genre(fav 2d shmup) and the Wii is made for them(just as ds is for shmups, 2 screens touch aiming)and we're getting surprisingly little(rail shooters=\=lightgun game)
Please Sega your acrade studios are doing good still, make a new Space Harrier with modern IR tech!
This game was pretty much the closest thing you could get to 3D graphics back in the 80s, without it being some dodgy isometric graphics. As part of the classic arcade style games, it was one I kept coming back to again and again to see if I could get to a higher level. Just had to check out those damn hard bosses :) Must have been a hit too since Sega put similar gameplay style bonus levels in Sonic 2 and 3 for Genesis/Megadrive. Think I'll go dig out my Master System now for old times sake.
This was the SHIT back in the day! Fucking hard like gunstar heroes, but both were and are still fucking fun! I still have my master system and my genesis as well... i love 16-bit!
Best version of this game. The title theme kicks ass too which I don't recall hearing in any other version of the game. And for the record, Black Belt is awesome.
I played the Atari version of this game, the gameplay and level structure are different and the atari was smoother graphics. Although the Amiga im afraid to say kicked ass :(
lol cool... i had this one also.. I bought nintendo, sold it, got the master system and then nintendo blew up so i was stuck with this untill about a year later when i bought the NES again.. lol oh the memories.
I picked the SMS over the NES. This was one of the few games that didn't make me regret my choice. Space Harrier, Shinobi, Thunderblade, After burner and that was it...
This is the Best Version. Scale isn't smooth, but look how "IN-YOUR-FACE" the Bosses Get! This version has an EXCLUSIVE LAST BOSS not found in the Arcade verion(Or PS2 Version). The Music has that quality that mixes catchy tunage with haunting 8-bit Glory. The Arcade version feels like it's more interrested in taking your money and The Master System version really gives you a sense of Adventure.
This game didn't make a lick of sense and had pretty uninvolving gameplay...yet the music somehow made the game worthwhile. Seemed like it belonged in a romance movie.
Space Harrier's the shit! I wish they release the Space Harrier 2 compilation here in the states, but alas, our crappy "free market" system won't allow for such a thing...
It's not the graphics I care about, it's the gameplay, and because the graphics on the SMS version is all blocks, then it's drastically affecting the gameplay.
Because they just appear, making the game much harder, and less fun.
It boils down to your root perspective. If you played the Arcade first then played the SMS version, you are at a disadvantage. Because you are going from a more advanced gameplay to a less advanced.I played Atari 2600 games before I ever saw Space Harrier for SMS, so the scalling although primitive compared to the Arcade, was leeps and bounds above what I was used to. Highly advanced gameplay and easy to adjust to.Look at some scaling on Atari2600 and you might see what I am talking about.
I went from Amiga, to Arcade, to SMS. Overall, IMO the AMIGA version owns them all.
I just can't play it when enemies jump right out at you, I find it disorientating (Major eye problems you see) and therefore more difficult and less fun.
Wow Amiga version First?! No wonder. The scaling is still jittery on the Amiga version, but the Amiga version is lightyears better in scaling/color and Sound sampling clearity than the SMS version, but that was 1989! The SMS version came out in 1986. Back in 1986, Boss sprites that filled the entire screen were unheard of, that alone made SMS visuals shine to me as a kid in 1986. Look at EVERY Boss in every version, and you will see that the SMS version has the Largest sprites on screen.
I don't know why, maybe it's because this was one of the first games I ever owned on the MS, but this music gives me serious goosebumps when I hear it, it's absolutely beautiful :)
Back in the 1980s, I was kind of obsessed with Space Harrier since it was the most impressive game I'd seen. The C64 version sucked. Then the SMS came out and I heard that Space Harrier was great on it. Someone told me that a mall a couple towns away had a SMS on display with SH. So I make the trip, get there, there's no controller hooked up and the demo ends as he's running along the ground!
That opening theme still sends chills down my spine. God, the memories of playing this at age 6, trying to be as good as my big brother at all the Sega games he had..
I know how it feels, I remember playing this game when I was 4/5, that was 1994/1995. Still love this game. Got the one for the PS2 now aswell as the SMS one, but yeah, the SMS still craps over the PS2 version
This was a pretty good conversion considering the hardware. Pity about the weird sprite masking though.
pepeladouche 5 days ago
man when the dragon shows up in the end it looks like the whole game is crumbling down
cyberyanmar 2 weeks ago
did you know that sega remixed this song and put it in the bios on the master system in japan
killkenny5000 1 month ago
Welcome To The Fantasy Zone Get Ready
ninelivecat 1 month ago
Dawn of the videogames: great times
sisominux 5 months ago
do you play on a real sega master system?
Macintoshplus1986 6 months ago
@Macintoshplus1986 Yes, recorded from a real Master System
coenak 6 months ago
@coenak verry cool :-)
Macintoshplus1986 6 months ago
OMG, Flashback to my youth!!!
Hybzy 7 months ago
I love this crappy blood and blod.... and I love even more the ddddddoup biiiiiii baaaaaa when SEGA appears at the screen
shiloushilou 7 months ago
SEEEGAAA
j5o14jq222 8 months ago
I remember playing this when I was 6 and this song was quite impressionable. It felt melancholic yet the melody overall sounds like adventure, bravery. Its just perfect: a distant alien world, a lonely boy and his struggle against obstacles.
yurikomuro 8 months ago
This should have looked better, kind of surprised. Just search for Space Harrier - Atari 8-Bit XL/XE (Final Release) and you will see how a 1979 Atari computer does well.
ATARI800XLfan 8 months ago
@ATARI800XLfan The Sega Team didn't have decades to learn the hardware in and out...probably a 4-5 months before they were on to the next project. That atari version looks great!
Ui2019 8 months ago
@ATARI800XLfan Atari 2600 console was 1977 1978 That was only a 4 bit console
ninelivecat 1 month ago
@ninelivecat it is 8-bit, it was based around the 8-bit 6507 processor, which was a slightly slower version of the famous MOS 6502(which was used in the NES).The MOS Technology 6502 is an 8-bit microprocessor that was designed by Chuck Peddle and Bill Mensch for MOS Technology in 1975. When it was introduced, it was the least expensive full-featured microprocessor on the market by a considerable margin. It was nevertheless fully comparable with them and, along with the Zilog Z80
ATARI800XLfan 1 month ago
El tatarabuelo del Kid Icarus 3ds xD
RyuichiSakumasan 8 months ago
master system was a good system
nooblet911 10 months ago
Comment removed
nooblet911 10 months ago
Welcome to the Fantasy Zone! Get Ready!
MarioLuigiandYoshi 11 months ago
notice it doesnt side scroll like the other versions, theres always summat missing in sms games
rainxxxx 11 months ago
AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMEEEEEE game
1234321hell 11 months ago
The way things show up with glitches in this game might give you reason to believe sweat is coming out of the cartridge. Like it's working hard because it has some sense of pride in itself. And you still get a good, playable version of Space Harrier, even with the hardware limitations.
Purianite 1 year ago
Yes! Before starfox,their was space harrier. I gotta buy a SMS just for this game.
bush80 1 year ago
Oh man the memories.
capnkirktm 1 year ago
If SMS had Nintendo's library and advertising (equivalently speaking, of course), it would have won the war, hands down. I mean, have you SEEN Sega's idea of box art was back then? Ugh.
fistyeah21 1 year ago
It truly was a great soundtrack in video game history!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NICKELS181 1 year ago
bon souvenirs!^^
alexis6712 1 year ago
definitely one of the greatest 8-bit games of all time
H3RM3S78 1 year ago
I loved this on Shenmue.
Okanehira 1 year ago
why are there squares around the sprites?
onecreativecriminal 1 year ago
@onecreativecriminal It's a hardware limitation. I think they're actually background tiles that emulate sprites, so they don't have transparency.
shaurz 1 year ago
I never understood why people enjoyed this at all. It was technically PLAYABLE, but the Master System just couldn't handle this game. They did a good job of porting this over, but they shouldn't have bothered.
whiteechidna 1 year ago
@whiteechidna I'm not going to point out the differences between this and the arcade version because it's pretty obvious, but back when this port came out, there was nothing that even came close to it at home.
beigemore 1 year ago
@beigemore Yes you're absolutely right this was the closest by a long way to the actual arcade game
ninelivecat 1 month ago
RIP COMMENTS!! LOL!!!!
youhavenoidea09 1 year ago
It still amazes me to this day the SMS managed to pull off this game so well. Space Harrier was the first game I bought when I bought my SMS.
Diskoboy1974 1 year ago
Still looks AWESOME for an 8-bit game!!
rang3r34 1 year ago
Ahh Memories. This Game Was Awesome!
AlienX99999 1 year ago
Comment removed
suicidalparrot 1 year ago
i remember when i was young and playing this game on pc mmm good times
ninotimecrisisfan 1 year ago
This system is pretty forgettable due to the poor arcade translations, except for one thing. The 3-D glasses. The tech was way ahead of its time and very effective. Now some 20+ years are they using a modern version of this same system for 3-D blu-rays and live sports. Both the Master system and the new 3-D tv system are impressive and should be witnessed. Forget the red-blue lenses or polarized glasses.
spazzman90 2 years ago
well what do you expect from a 8-bit system? the arcades were miles from consoles back then. it took, like, almost 10 years for a near arcade-perfect home version (sega 32x). this was the best home version when it came out.
nooblet911 1 year ago 3
If U grew up in the 80's, then U were like me, lucky enough to grow up in the era that DEFINED video games, the Golden Era of Hip Hop & porn LOL!!
Ahhh the 80's..god I miss 'em..
blackadam06 2 years ago
speaking of porn - take a good look at the intro pic here: a mamooth with a 'nose' and next to him a robot with a 'gun' and a boy waving on him.
mere coincidence or not?
nooblet911 2 years ago
one of the greatest soundtracks in video game history
ldlrdrllrr 2 years ago 42
@ldlrdrllrr amen
Zac6230 1 year ago
@ldlrdrllrr yeaa it really is cool and always will be wow this takes me back wayyy back luved it and the arcade machine they were the days
j5o14jq222 8 months ago
Just bought this game, looks fun!
Skimaskkass 2 years ago
Comment removed
Kristin98cole03 2 years ago
This game makes a reappearance in Bayonetta.
KisekiTim 2 years ago 14
"Welcome to MY fantasy zone!"
*get ready*....
pheenix42 2 years ago
@KisekiTim That level was so much fun!
Kojain 1 year ago
@KisekiTim
And also in Shenmue 1 for Dreamcast.
Cheetah1251 1 year ago 2
I would love Space Harrier for Wii Railshooters are my favorite 3D genre(fav 2d shmup) and the Wii is made for them(just as ds is for shmups, 2 screens touch aiming)and we're getting surprisingly little(rail shooters=\=lightgun game)
Please Sega your acrade studios are doing good still, make a new Space Harrier with modern IR tech!
Drmofothegreat 2 years ago
I still remember the cheat: up up, down down, left right left right, down up down up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
panama866 2 years ago
oh man this game used to piss off so much...but i still loved it
meslem99 2 years ago
I used to love this game
888564342432 2 years ago
This game was pretty much the closest thing you could get to 3D graphics back in the 80s, without it being some dodgy isometric graphics. As part of the classic arcade style games, it was one I kept coming back to again and again to see if I could get to a higher level. Just had to check out those damn hard bosses :) Must have been a hit too since Sega put similar gameplay style bonus levels in Sonic 2 and 3 for Genesis/Megadrive. Think I'll go dig out my Master System now for old times sake.
szashnia 2 years ago 2
Great music in this game
ckj377 2 years ago
This was the SHIT back in the day! Fucking hard like gunstar heroes, but both were and are still fucking fun! I still have my master system and my genesis as well... i love 16-bit!
xxslaytanicxx 2 years ago
God i loved this game so much
Leonclaw 2 years ago
This game was very hard. Level 27 or 31 was my best shot but that was almost 20 years ago.
tsj88950 2 years ago
Someone needs to do a FULL walkthrough of this game from start to finish, as i only was albe to make it to level 18 :(
It gets really hard!
CescoPisicoli 2 years ago
There is 3D styled mini-game of this in Sega Super Stars tennis.
SamusSuperStar 2 years ago
Best version of this game. The title theme kicks ass too which I don't recall hearing in any other version of the game. And for the record, Black Belt is awesome.
slimshady0297 2 years ago
I played the Atari version of this game, the gameplay and level structure are different and the atari was smoother graphics. Although the Amiga im afraid to say kicked ass :(
yorksingingsensation 2 years ago
reminds me of world runner 3d
stinger200 3 years ago
i never understood how this guy was flying in mid air with no discernible evidence of a jet pack.
yoops 3 years ago
I think the jet pack was in the gun itself...which reminds me how the concept never was taken further.
I wonder why.
I think it was a cool concept.
alleyghost 2 years ago
lol cool... i had this one also.. I bought nintendo, sold it, got the master system and then nintendo blew up so i was stuck with this untill about a year later when i bought the NES again.. lol oh the memories.
zacker001 3 years ago
I picked the SMS over the NES. This was one of the few games that didn't make me regret my choice. Space Harrier, Shinobi, Thunderblade, After burner and that was it...
bkjbearcat78 3 years ago
You really needed to expand your Master System library. Phantasy Star, Psycho Fox, and Zillion spring immediately to mind.
thenamecolinwastaken 3 years ago
black belt, wonderboy, rambo, vigilante, outrun, quartet, rocky
SEGA was intense.
fantacular 2 years ago 3
Does anyone know the level skip code for this game??? Thank you!!!
cbmalta42 3 years ago
wow, never seen this port.
Quite nice for the SMS technology
Soundtrack sounds nice with the SMS as well.
much <3 to sega.
benjaminshinobi 3 years ago
This is the Best Version. Scale isn't smooth, but look how "IN-YOUR-FACE" the Bosses Get! This version has an EXCLUSIVE LAST BOSS not found in the Arcade verion(Or PS2 Version). The Music has that quality that mixes catchy tunage with haunting 8-bit Glory. The Arcade version feels like it's more interrested in taking your money and The Master System version really gives you a sense of Adventure.
stringanime 3 years ago
The 3D is a bit special for a master system.
SNEDILLIO 3 years ago
This game didn't make a lick of sense and had pretty uninvolving gameplay...yet the music somehow made the game worthwhile. Seemed like it belonged in a romance movie.
ReturnofRetroBoy 3 years ago
Space Harrier's the shit! I wish they release the Space Harrier 2 compilation here in the states, but alas, our crappy "free market" system won't allow for such a thing...
willia3r 3 years ago
naw the tg16 & genesis versions stink the original arcade game was only like 20meg much less than metalslug & thats on wii's vc
skywarp187 3 years ago
Would much rather be getting the TG16 version on the VC :(
DEIVION212 3 years ago
Then you wont get the Exclusive last Boss that is only in the SMS version. If all we care about is the Grafix, what are we even doing with a Wii? O_O
stringanime 3 years ago
It's not the graphics I care about, it's the gameplay, and because the graphics on the SMS version is all blocks, then it's drastically affecting the gameplay.
Because they just appear, making the game much harder, and less fun.
DEIVION212 3 years ago
It boils down to your root perspective. If you played the Arcade first then played the SMS version, you are at a disadvantage. Because you are going from a more advanced gameplay to a less advanced.I played Atari 2600 games before I ever saw Space Harrier for SMS, so the scalling although primitive compared to the Arcade, was leeps and bounds above what I was used to. Highly advanced gameplay and easy to adjust to.Look at some scaling on Atari2600 and you might see what I am talking about.
stringanime 3 years ago
I went from Amiga, to Arcade, to SMS. Overall, IMO the AMIGA version owns them all.
I just can't play it when enemies jump right out at you, I find it disorientating (Major eye problems you see) and therefore more difficult and less fun.
DEIVION212 3 years ago
Wow Amiga version First?! No wonder. The scaling is still jittery on the Amiga version, but the Amiga version is lightyears better in scaling/color and Sound sampling clearity than the SMS version, but that was 1989! The SMS version came out in 1986. Back in 1986, Boss sprites that filled the entire screen were unheard of, that alone made SMS visuals shine to me as a kid in 1986. Look at EVERY Boss in every version, and you will see that the SMS version has the Largest sprites on screen.
stringanime 3 years ago
I don't know why, maybe it's because this was one of the first games I ever owned on the MS, but this music gives me serious goosebumps when I hear it, it's absolutely beautiful :)
rabbitpi 3 years ago
Back in the 1980s, I was kind of obsessed with Space Harrier since it was the most impressive game I'd seen. The C64 version sucked. Then the SMS came out and I heard that Space Harrier was great on it. Someone told me that a mall a couple towns away had a SMS on display with SH. So I make the trip, get there, there's no controller hooked up and the demo ends as he's running along the ground!
I probably would have been disappointed anyway.
lurkerrekrul 3 years ago
I had this as well, ahhhhhhhh the music!!! sounds so good on the MS!!!!!
DanWelshy86 3 years ago
That opening theme still sends chills down my spine. God, the memories of playing this at age 6, trying to be as good as my big brother at all the Sega games he had..
NaruMitsuFreak 3 years ago
I know how it feels, I remember playing this game when I was 4/5, that was 1994/1995. Still love this game. Got the one for the PS2 now aswell as the SMS one, but yeah, the SMS still craps over the PS2 version
SubbieXero 3 years ago
Love this game. Played the hell out of it. Really well done for an 8bit.
frigginjoe 4 years ago
wow lol i think this was one of the first video games i ever played!! i loved it!
samuraiotakux 4 years ago
somehow now I remember playing it now when I was a kid
Segacamp 4 years ago
I played this one and completed it on the Game gear back then it was one of the coolest games.
Cyrus7500 4 years ago